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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro: Allegedly covered up corruption in the Ministry of Health
Photo: ADRIANO MACHADO / REUTERS
Three Brazilian senators have brought President Jair Bolsonaro to the Supreme Court for malpractice.
The opposition Senator Randolfe Rodrigues announced on Monday that he “did nothing after he was informed of a gigantic corruption scheme in the Ministry of Health”.
Randolfe is the deputy chairman of a Senate investigative commission investigating the government's handling of the corona pandemic.
Last week, the commission made explosive allegations against Bolsonaro: Bolsonaro was aware of alleged corruption in connection with a contract for the Covaxin vaccine made in India worth 300 million dollars (around 250 million euros) and did not intervene.
Congressman Luis Miranda, who is close to Bolsonaro, had testified to the Senate Commission that the President had assured him that he would report the suspicion to the police, which he apparently did not do.
Three million doses of vaccine for $ 45 million
Previously, Miranda's brother Luis Ricardo Miranda, who is responsible for medical imports at the Ministry of Health, had become aware of a bill for three million vaccine doses for 45 million dollars.
He told the Commission of Inquiry last Friday that he had refused to authorize the payment to a company in Singapore.
His superiors then put "unusual, disproportionate" pressure on him.
After further irregularities related to the Covaxin deal became known, the government was forced to terminate the agreement.
Criminal proceedings against Bolsonaro in the Supreme Court could result in his impeachment.
The prerequisite for this would be that the Attorney General Augusto Aras files charges - he is, however, considered an ally of the President.
The case could still politically harm Bolsonaro.
Its popular support is currently waning.
In recent polls, the head of state is far behind his left-wing challenger, ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Presidential elections will be held in Brazil next year.
ire / AFP
